Method of controlling a valve and valve

Abstract

A method of controlling a valve plunger of a valve makes provision that, prior to the operation, the valve individually runs through a set-up procedure on the basis of a detected closed position, in which set-up procedure the valve plunger exerts an additional force in the direction of the valve seat beyond a detected closed position. The corresponding valve is equipped with an integrated valve controller which performs a corresponding set-up procedure automatically prior to the operation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Method of controlling a valve, which has a valve plunger, wherein, prior to operation, the valve individually runs through a set-up procedure on the basis of a detected closed position, in which set-up procedure a first closed position of the valve plunger is detected, wherein during subsequent, continuous operation the valve plunger is moved beyond the detected first closed position to a second closed position in which it exerts a force on the valve seat which comprises an additional force added to that applied in the first closed position,
 wherein the first closed position is detected by sensors and on the basis of at least one detected value, desired parameters for the second closed position are determined, and 
 wherein flow through the valve is detected by sensors during the set-up procedure, and from a point where a predetermined lower limit value of the flow is achieved, the first closed position is stored. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve automatically performs the set-up procedure after being initiated. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the set-up procedure is performed after manually triggering the set-up procedure. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the set-up procedure is triggered at a valve drive. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow through the valve is detected by sensors during the set-up procedure and from the point when a flow of zero is achieved the first closed position is stored. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one operating parameter of the valve drive is detected and stored in first closed position. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one operating parameter comprises current position of the valve, current position of the valve plunger, current pressure in a drive cylinder, current linear force of the valve, current motor current or current motor power. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein, during the set-up procedure, at least one predefined value is added to the operating parameter to determine and store a supplemented target value tailored individually to the valve, wherein the target value is approached during subsequent operation at the desired closed position. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one predefined value is stored in a controller of the valve. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one predefined value is a path increment for the valve drive in form of the valve plunger, a pressure increment in a drive cylinder, a force increment, a current increment for the motor current or a power increment for the motor power. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the predefined value
 is input and/or changed manually. 
 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the predefined value is selected manually or automatically from specified values which are stored in the controller of the valve. 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the predefined value can be input or selected manually or automatically via a bus system connected to the valve. 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a valve drive and flow through the valve is monitored by sensors during operation, and if, during operation, after the set-up procedure, a flow is detected in the closed position, an automatic readjustment is effected so that an increased force is produced in the valve drive in the closed position, wherein at least one readjusted operating parameter is stored as a readjusted target value. 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve plunger is moved to the first closed position at a slower speed during the set-up procedure than the valve plunger is moved to the second closed position during the subsequent operation. 
     
     
       16. Valve comprising a valve drive and a valve plunger, which is actuated by the valve drive, and an electronic valve controller integrated in the valve, wherein in the valve controller, a set-up procedure is stored which comprises, prior to the operation, individually running the valve through a set-up procedure on the basis of a detected closed position, in which set-up procedure a first closed position of the valve plunger is detected, wherein during subsequent, continuous operation the valve plunger is moved beyond the detected first closed position to a second closed position in which it exerts a force in the direction of the valve seat which comprises an additional force added to that applied in the first closed position,
 wherein the first closed position is detected by sensors and on a basis of at least one detected value desired parameters for the second closed position are determined, and 
 wherein flow through the valve is detected by sensors during the set-up procedure and from the point where a predetermined lower limit value of flow is achieved the first closed position is stored. 
 
     
     
       17. The valve as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the valve has a flow sensor or is coupled, in terms of control, to a flow sensor. 
     
     
       18. The valve as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the valve plunger is provided with an elastomeric seal which presses against the valve seat in the first and second closed position. 
     
     
       19. The valve as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the valve has at least one sensor for determining at least one of the following operating parameters of the valve: the current position of the valve, the current position of the valve plunger, the current pressure in a drive cylinder, the current linear force of the valve, the current motor current or the current motor power.